Ample food sources lead to bumper crop of pine grosbeaks this winter By Joan Collins Things quiet down by late summer and fall as many of the Adirondack breeding bird species head south. But as winter arrives, birds to our north irrupt into our … [Read more...] about Pine grosbeaks: A favorite winter finch
birdwatch
Catching up with a boreal flycatcher
By Joan Collins One of the Adirondacks’ most sought-after boreal species, by visiting birders, is also one of the most entertaining to observe. With their loud “quick, three beers” song, the olive-sided flycatcher won’t elude your ear. Their … [Read more...] about Catching up with a boreal flycatcher
What will happen to Bicknell’s thrush?
Concerns for potential disruptions to rare bird's habitat By John Thaxton When I heard the Olympic Regional Development Authority planned to start cutting trees at Whiteface Mountain to create new ski trails, connector trails between the … [Read more...] about What will happen to Bicknell’s thrush?
A call of mourning
By John Thaxton When I think of unsung beauty I think of mourning doves, with their gorgeous, smooth pale brown plumage flecked with black and their pretty, pale blue eyelids. I also think of their squeaky wingbeats as they take to the air from a … [Read more...] about A call of mourning
Listening for a nasal call that brings a smile
BIRDWATCH By John Thaxton During a field trip to Bloomingdale Bog that my wife and I led for Northern New York Audubon, a woman who hadn’t said a thing for an hour and a half, nor smiled, turned to me with a merciless look and demanded: “I … [Read more...] about Listening for a nasal call that brings a smile
The familiar shriek of gulls
By John Thaxton BIRDWATCH Affectionately known in many places as garbage gulls, ring-billed gulls feel preternaturally comfortable around humans, happily accepting handouts of french fries or apple cores or, in my experience, pizza crust. They … [Read more...] about The familiar shriek of gulls